Given the recent news that NBC is revamping The Munsters in an updated “edgier” take on one of America’s favorite TV families, I thought it would be an appropriate time to take a fond look back at the original sitcom. Although produced to mirror the success and popularity enjoyed by The Addams Family, The Munsters was unique in that its plots revolved around everyday issues not explored by America’s other gothic family.
Despite the fact that the family was comprised of various monsters – Grandpa and Lily were vampires, Herman was a Frankenstein-like creature and Eddie was a werewolf – they were at heart an all-American family with normal issues just like everybody else. They had jobs and schools to go to, chores to do, bills to pay, bullies to face, failed romances, cases of mistaken identities and even a family pet named Spot, albeit he was a fire-breathing dragon instead of a dog. They seemed so harmless, yet their neighbors were always terrified of them.
One of the biggest running gags on the show was the fact that the Munsters considered themselves normal and their failed comprehension of why people reacted so strangely upon encountering them. The other running gag centered around the only non-monster member of the family, Cousin Marilyn, who was always referred to as the ugly duckling destined to be an old maid unless they could successfully find her a suitor who could somehow see past her “plainness.”
A perfect mix of horror monsters and campiness, the sitcom may have only lasted 70 episodes airing from 1964-66 on CBS, but it also spawned a series revival in the ‘80s (The Munsters Today) and several movies, including Munster, Go Home!, The Munsters’ Revenge and the ill-conceived ‘90s films Here Come the Munsters and The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas.
If you’ve never seen the original pilot featuring a different wife and son (Joan Marshall as Herman’s wife named Phoebe and Nate Derman as Eddie), you’re in for a shock. Found on the Season 1 DVD, the original wife was too much of a Morticia Addams wanna-be and the boy was too wolf-like and unlikable – although maybe that’s because I always had a crush on Butch Patrick as a kid watching the reruns. The Phantom Tollbooth was another of my childhood favorites starring Patrick, but that’s perhaps another Flashback topic.
While the jokes may at times be a bit hokey and you can clearly see most of the wires on the flying bats, etc., The Munsters is a bit like having classic Universal monsters and the innocence of Halloween all wrapped up in a package of everyday awesomeness. Here are but a few of the reasons why I will forever love the original Munsters:
Clacked by Kim Tibbs
on May 31, 2012 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
Addams or Munsters, Beatles or Stones, Skippy or Jiff. The 60s were full of life directing choices.
Wow..I had not heard of this remake. Since I luvvvvv Eddie Izzard I will definitely give it a chance. With today’s resources, the house should definitely be better visually and Spot should be fun!
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This ’60’s theme was typical for the time with a completely catchy groove, but iconic all the same and has withstood the test of time. The surf guitar makes it what it is.
It was created by the great composer and conductor Jack Marshall who is also known for his classic arrangement of Peggy Lee’s “Fever,” an award winner for him several times over.
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I can’t believe I didn’t mention it as one of my favorite instrumental theme songs in your column a few months back, Michael! I didn’t think about it until about a week later :(
You’re not mistaken at all. The Eddie from the pilot (which was also in color – another shock for those familiar with the black and white series) was awful. The show would have died a quick death if they hadn’t done a quick re-cast. It’s also fun to note that Gwynne and Al Lewis had a history together — they appeared on the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? from 1961 – 1963, and the Munster house is very clearly visible on Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane, even with a bit of a facade remodel.
As for the re-boot … I’m on the fence. It’s already markedly different with the casting of Izzard as Grandpa. And going the hour-long dramedy route is going to be even more difficult to pull off. The Munsters worked because of the slapstick comedy, so adding more dramatic moments could be off-putting. And are they going to carry over the traditional Herman look? The conceptual art I saw of Grandpa looks nothing like Grandpa, so I’m assuming having a character look like Frankenstein’s Monster is going to be jettisoned as well. Suffice it to say, the whole idea makes me nervous. None of the other attempts were ever successful (The Munsters Today was just dreadful), so this is going to have to be so far removed from the original to succeed that I can see why they’ve decided to change the name of the show. Fingers crossed that it works. Who know, it may pair up well with another show no one thought would see a second season (much less a full first season) — Grimm.
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Yeah … that color pilot: Not. Good. Not good in the least. And I had a feeling you knew, Chuck, that Gwynne and Lewis “pal’d” around on Car 54 …
Honestly, I don’t see how they’re going to successfully pull of an hour-long dramady. This reboot is strange enough … but to add another 22 minutes to it and revamp it, too? I’m not even on the fence – I’m skeptical.
And Grimm: Talk about a surprise. It’s been a joy to watch over its freshman season … and that’s not just because I review it.
Unless people are running away from them in super-fast motion, it ain’t gonna work! :-)
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I used to watch reruns of Car 54 on Nick at Nite as a kid also, though I can’t remember much about that show now. I’d like to revisit that show now that I’m older, as I always loved Fred Gwynne.
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They just revealed Jerry O’Connell of Sliders & Stand By Me fame has been cast as Herman Munster. I really love him, but I’m not sure what to make of this choice. Although I remember hearing everyone say Heath Ledger wasn’t going to be able to play a convincing Joker either, ha ha. Guess I’ll have to wait and see!
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Off the top of my head, I think the only way this would work would be if they change Herman’s name to “Jerry” in the reboot …
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It’s not 100% official yet, but it looks like Mariana Klaveno (Bill’s ruthless maker Lorena from True Blood) has been cast as Lily Munster. She plays a wicked vampire…I could see where that might make the show “edgier” lol.
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If you didn’t see the news announced this week, Lorena’s out and Portia de Rossi of Arrested Development & Better Off Ted fame has been cast as Lily Munster, making the primary characters’ casting complete for the reboot.